Thank You for Today’s Conversation

Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined today’s town hall. The thoughtfulness of your questions and the concern you showed for our University and for one another mean a great deal.

The news about staff reductions has created understandable concern for our University community. Each role represents a person we value, and it is never easy to see colleagues affected. I understand the anxiety this creates, and I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to approach these decisions with care and respect for the people they affect.

The financial challenges we face are significant, and more work lies ahead. As we continue to seek fiscal stability, our focus is clear: safeguard the student experience, support faculty in their teaching and research, and do everything possible to limit the impact on people.

To that end, we have implemented a series of measures designed to reduce costs and preserve resources. Among them:

• Restructured Commencement into a single-day format, saving the University approximately $65,000.
• Cancelled the arrangement with a local hotel for satellite student housing, saving nearly $900,000 when transportation and security are factored in.
• Adjusted building temperatures, which will save roughly $200,000.
• Readjusted the campus shuttle bus system for an additional $109,000 in savings.

As we work to address our fiscal challenges, we are also committed to minimizing the impact of reductions on the essential work of our employees, and we are willing to adjust our approach as needed along the way.

For example, we have approved travel regulations for faculty and staff. For external grants and contracts, domestic travel is allowed; international travel is allowed only when the proposal specifies it. Domestic travel is also permitted when using funds from professorships, endowed chairs, faculty research travel grants, Foundation funds and other external funding. Travel remains restricted for all other funding sources.

These actions are an important start, but they cannot by themselves close the gap we face.

That is why your ideas and perspectives remain so important. I have read many of the suggestions already shared and have reflected on the thoughtful questions raised at both town halls. I look forward to studying additional ideas as they come in, and I encourage you to share your perspective through using this online form.

Continued conversation is essential, and this exchange of ideas underscores the commitments I want to reaffirm to you:

• We will be open about what we know and what decisions are being considered.
• We will continue to listen and provide opportunities for dialogue.
• We will keep our mission at the center of every decision.

These are difficult days, but I believe in the resilience of this campus and in the strength of our shared purpose. That belief gives me confidence as we continue to move forward together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jaimie Hebert

Interim President